Port to be considered for broadband grant

DAYTON–The Port of Columbia regular meeting had to be moved to Monday July 12 from the regularly scheduled second Wednesday because Executive Director Jennie Dickinson said the Port was invited to present to the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) for consideration to receive their rural broadband program grant on Thursday July 15.

Dickinson said Bob Greene from local internet service provider (ISP) Columbia iConnect will also present on behalf of the Port project. They are one of the local ISPs signed on to offer the broadband once installed to area customers. If approved for the $2 million grant, pre-contract requirements have to be met including a $500,000 match requirement within six months. Dickinson is appealing to the City of Dayton and Columbia County to consider offering a portion of their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to go towards the match. Broadband is one of the approved uses for the ARPA funds.

The Commissioners approved last month the use of grant money allowed for marketing and promotion. Dickinson provided an update telling the Commissioners of the work of the marketing company in promoting the 6th Annual Foodstock event at Blue Mountain Station on Saturday July 17. She went on to say, “The next thing we will be moving towards is marketing all hospitality businesses in Dayton. The marketing person is so far working on some contracts with radio stations and building customer lists of people we can communicate with on a regular basis.”

The Columbia-Walla Walla Railway (CWW) and Dickinson’s discussion with the local shippers led the Commissioners to approve Dickinson’s recommendation to send a letter from the Port of Columbia Commissioners to the Walla Walla Port Commissioners for them to consider meeting with Dickinson, one of the Port of Columbia commissioners, CWW and the shippers.

The letter would ask about possibly working with CWW to obtain funding to build a connection to Port Kelley at the Columbia River just south of Wallula Junction. It will also request to include in the discussion the Union Pacific from whom CWW leases the rail in that area.

According to Dickinson, if that connection was made, Northwest Grain Growers said they would put about 1000 cars a year on the rail to ship. Columbia County has an interest in this connection for the use of the local shippers to complete the short line. Without it, the use of the rail is less viable.

Touchet Valley Trail comments, questions and answers were posted on the Port website late last month for viewing. The Port issued the following statement, “We appreciate all the comments and questions that were submitted, and continue to keep both community concerns and appreciation in mind as work on the design progresses. We hope that the public will read these documents carefully and with knowledge that every effort was taken to provide accurate responses.”

The monthly meetings will continue by Zoom as decided by the Commissioners after discussion with Dickinson and a question from the public. The Port’s board room is small and social distancing is difficult. Offering a Zoom option from a different location presents additional difficulties. Commissioner Earle Marvin suggested to review and discuss the meeting format monthly.